AOS Winter 2026 Meeting
Winter Meeting Schedule
(Registration is at bottom of page)
Our winter meeting will be a return to Guntersville State Park in Guntersville, Alabama. Unless otherwise noted, all activities begin or occur at Lake Guntersville Lodge. This same weekend is also Eagle Awareness Weekend. Although we are a separate event from the Eagle Weekend, you will be able to browse the exhibitor tables. However, reserve your room early to ensure you are staying at the lodge.
1155 Lodge Dr. Guntersville, Alabama 35976. For more information, contact the Reservations Department at (256) 505-6621 to reserve your room for the winter meeting January 23-25, 2026. To make reservations online, go to: https://www.alapark.com/parks/lake-guntersville-state-park. May need to use group code AOS.
Choose from cabins that rest on the bank of the Guntersville Lake, chalets nestled in the ridge-tops, or the resort lodge on the pinnacle of Taylor Mountain that offers a stunning view. Select accommodations are handicap accessible
When making the reservation tell them you are with the AL Ornithological Society to get our rate. In addition to the cost of the room, there will be taxes and fees added.
Casual dress is appropriate throughout the meeting. However, the wind is chilling as it blows across the lake. Dress warm with coats, hats, and gloves
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026
6:00 p.m. Board Meeting via TEAMS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2026
Birding on your own if you arrive early.
- 5:00 p.m. Dinner on your own
- 5:30 p.m. Registration — Goldenrod Room
- 6:00 p.m. Social Hour — Goldenrod Room – finger foods, tea and water
- 7:00 p.m. Presentation with Michelle Reynolds – “Country, Coastal and City Shrikes: Loggerhead Shrikes of Alabama” — Goldenrod Room (see below for details).
- 7:45 p.m. Member Photos—You must preregister with Shirley Farrell to show photos. Limit of 10 photos per person.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026
- 7:00 a.m. Field Trip 1: Guntersville City Shores: Gulls and Divers – Meet in the Lodge Lobby OR 7:30 a.m. at the City Harbor parking lot
- 7:00 a.m. Field Trip 2: Exploring South Sauty Creek and Morgan’s Cove: The Snipe Hunt Returns! – Meet in the Lodge Lobby
- 4:00 p.m. Special Presentation- “Raptors of Alabama” with Raptor Ridge and Valerie Castanza Goldenrod Room
- 5:00 p.m. Registration — Goldenrod Room
- 5:30 p.m. Social hour — Goldenrod Room
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner — Goldenrod Room
- 7:00 p.m. Announcements
- 7:15 p.m. Keynote Speaker: “Beyond The Birds” with Bonner Black
- 9:00 p.m. Adjourn
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026
- 8:00 a.m. Birding on your own
- 12:00 PM Compilation in the Lodge Lobby with sweet treats
Speakers and Field Trip Details
Country, Coastal and City Shrikes: Loggerhead Shrikes of Alabama
With Michelle Reynolds
The Loggerhead Shrike is fierce — a bird of prey trapped in songbird’s body, masked and dangerous with a hooked beak, and tough as nails! Lanius ludovicianus, also known as the Butcher Bird, is a grassland species of conservation concern, with declining numbers in many areas, and elusive where it is still fairly common. Sometimes, to find the bird, it’s more productive to begin the search by looking for the larder — the shrike pantry of impaled or wedged prey for later consumption.
Join Michelle Reynolds (AOS member and self-described obsessed shrikaholic) for a slideshow and stories about this unique grassland species. She will entertain you with her observations of shrike predatory methods, perching places, caching habits, interesting nesting behavior, and their overall adaptability to man-made structures and altered landscapes across Alabama.
Field trip 1: Guntersville City Shores: Gulls and Divers
Led by Greg D Jackson
We will spend time at multiple sites along the shore in the city of Guntersville looking mostly for waterbirds (especially diving birds and gulls). This will include City Harbor (the starting point) and the northern and western shoreline of the town peninsula looking at Brown’s Creek embayment and the junction with the Tennessee River. Other areas might be included based on time and known birds of interest. Carpooling is encouraged; bring a telescope if you have one, and plan for an invigorating breeze and a fun time!
Field trip 2: High Falls and Morgan’s Cove: The Snipe Hunt Returns!
Led by Michelle and Linda Reynolds
This exciting new destination for our Guntersville meeting is one that Linda Reynolds calls a “must see!” We’ll begin our morning at High Falls, taking in the breathtaking cascade and scanning the area for winter visitors that frequent the surrounding woodlands and waters.
Afterward, we’ll make our way to Morgan’s Cove, where our last visit turned into a real-life snipe hunt — we counted 100 snipes on a sandbar and discovered a Great Blue Heron rookery tucked high in the pines across South Sauty Creek. This year, we’ll return to explore South Sauty Creek and Morgan’s Cove (Site #49, Northeast Loop), a beautiful stretch within Buck’s Pocket State Park known for its rich habitat variety and surprise sightings.
The calm waters here attract migratory waterfowl, Great Blue Herons, and Great Egrets, while the forested slopes nearby are home to Bald Eagles. Don’t blink when we reach the cove — Belted Kingfishers may dive dramatically for their dinner! We’ll also keep our eyes open for the distinctive Loggerhead Shrike — place your bets now: how many do you think we’ll spot this time?
Pack your binoculars, your sense of adventure, and maybe a snack or two — this High Falls and Morgan’s Cove birding trip is one you won’t want to miss!
Saturday Special presentation- “Raptors of Alabama”
By Raptor Ridge and Valerie Costanza
Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education is an award-winning interactive outreach program that focuses on the vital role raptors play in the natural world. We strive to teach the importance of environmental stewardship and develop a passion for protecting our natural resources. Join Valerie Castanza and the team of amazing “creature teachers” to learn about some of the beautiful raptors that call Alabama home.
Saturday Keynote: “Beyond The Birds” with Bonner Black
Award-winning singer-songwriter and viral birder, Bonner Black, has captivated audiences worldwide—garnering over 20 million views across Instagram and TikTok, and leading bird walks before her shows on tour.
While science focuses on bird species and environmental threats, Bonner’s unique perspective as an entertainer shines a light on the people behind the binoculars; the birding community—passionate individuals of all ages and backgrounds who are a powerful force in conservation. In this thought-provoking talk, Bonner goes Beyond the Birds (the title of her upcoming podcast launching in 2025) to explore the human side of birding and how this community can help change the world. How do we make nonbirders care about declining bird populations? How do we engage the next generation of birders? How do we each find our unique place in environmentalism? Bonner shares lessons from her whirlwind journey—offering fresh insight, heartfelt stories, and perhaps even a new song or two.
Bonner Black
Songwriter and birder, Bonner Black, was raised and homeschooled in the unincorporated town of Hot Rock, Tennessee. She fell in love with music through her one social outlet; classical ballet classes. At seventeen Black moved to Nashville, embarked on her first regional tour, and received the Artist Entrepreneur Award from The Oxford Center of Entrepreneurs at The Times Center in New York City. The now 12-year Music City veteran has accumulated 900k+ streams and 131k social media followers. Bonner gained momentum in 2024, releasing her highly awaited debut album, “Hopeless RomANTICS,” landing coveted playlists such as Spotify’s “Fresh Finds Pop” and Apple Music’s “Breaking Singer-Songwriter,” and playing a sold-out Nashville album release show. In the same year she completed her headlining US “Fall Migration Tour” and opened five sold out shows in the UK. As an avid birder, her birdwatching videos have gained 15+ million views and she has collaborated with The Audubon Society in the US and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK. This year she was a keynote speaker in Spain at the Delta Birding Festival and appeared on birding podcasts like “Life List” and Tommy Seigel’s, “Extremely Accurate Birds.” She is also an ambassador for Zeiss Nature and by integrating her enthusiasm for birds and songwriting, she has cultivated a unique and devout community and hosts bird walks called, “Birding With The Bands” before shows on her tours.
Sunday Field trips: Sunset Drive or chasing on your own any rarities seen Saturday.
Sunday Compilation: Lodge main lobby seating area. Join us for a compilation of all birds seen within the area. Enjoy a sweet treat before heading back home.
Register Here!